Billy Coffey
Billy Coffey

Taking a punch

May 31, 2009  

The question of when you know you’ve become a man has always preyed upon my mind, mostly because the answer seems so elusive.

In fact, there have been many times in my life when I’ve silently confirmed to myself that, yes, this is it–no more boy. I believed it the first time I kissed a girl (I was fifteen), the first time I drove by myself (sixteen), when I graduated from high school (eighteen), got married (twenty-four), and when I became a father (twenty-nine).

But I was wrong. Each of those instances might have inched me along from boy to man, but they never quite got me there.

What did get me there happened about four years ago, the day I had a conversation with a friend of mine who also happened to be a boxer. “A man never knows what he’s made of until he gets punched,” he told me.

He was right, too.
I’m posting for Katdish today on her blog so she can get a little painting done (and by painting, I mean hanging out on Twitter all day). So why don’t you follow me over there and read the story about the first time I stepped into the ring. It’s your chance to see the other side of Billy Coffey.
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Comments

  • Peter P

    I recommend heading over there y’all. It’s a great post!

  • Beth in NC

    Ok, going over.

  • Denise

    On my way there.

  • katdish

    Wow. Even the intro to your post is good! (I’m ignoring the twitter comment and I forgive you.) This is one of my favorite posts so far. Love it. Thanks again. Now, I gotta go not paint.

  • April

    Oh, I’m going right now!

  • Laura

    It’s so funny that you are pondering this manhood thing today when just last night my boy of twelve talked to me of feeling his body changing. I sent (of course) his daddy up to talk. And they talked about becoming a man.

    If becoming a man means getting punched, I’m keeping him a boy! I better go over and read what that’s all about.

  • Tracy

    LOL! Ok, my image of you is now blown – but in a good way. I enjoy watching boxing and boxing movies. And I hear it’s a great workout too! Glad I don’t have to take a punch though.

  • karin

    Just got back from reading the post. Great analogy! Lots to think about.

  • The Things We Carried

    Insightful quote. I am on the way over.

  • gzusfreek

    headed over :)

  • lynnrush

    Nice story, Billy.

  • Joanne Sher

    Hopping over – of course. (and giggling about Kat’s painting “issue”)

  • Liz

    Ok, here I go. Interesting thoughts. As a mother of two boys, ages 25 and 22…I still don’t think of them as “men”. Let me go ready, maybe it will help my perspective. :)

  • Heart2Heart

    Billy,

    Couldn’t wait again to see where this post was headed. Once again, you didn’t disappoint.

    Loved this line, You don’t know what you’re made of until you get punched. And whether that punch comes by standing in the middle of a boxing ring or the middle of a life, you survive the same way. You keep your chin down, you keep moving, and you never stop swinging.

    So true about life! Thank God, that He is a God of second, third and so on chances.

    Life is kinda like that, reality smacks you down sometimes, but we can either chose to wait it out, hoping for the final count, or stand back up again!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

  • Gotta Have Faith

    Such a great post on boxing and wondering if youre a man or not until you have been punched that I had to leave you a comment on your Blog as well. Hope to read many more amazing posts from you!

  • Blessed Mom of 8

    Interesting Billy!

    God says keep your chin up. Keep your eyes up! Look up to me – the battle is Mine not yours. Don't try to fight this on your own. I have it – just lean on Me – take on My yoke and I will be there for you. No need to defend yourself or protect yourself. Submit all of your life to Me and I will be your defender, protector, fighter and have the victory over all that comes your way.

    In your weakness I am strong!

    May we all remember that a man of God has no need to defend himself because the battle has already been won.

    Blessings – Jill

  • Julie

    Another great post, Billy. I’m really glad I found your blog. I enjoy my subscription. You write profound truth, spoken in every day words. I love the depth found in simplicity.

    Thanks!